Complete the guide to check Charlie card balance

Charlie Cards are a novel way to pay for bus tickets. You can add value to them or use them as a monthly pass. The card is compatible with both MBTA and LRTA fareboxes. You only need one card to ride all systems that accept Charlie Cards accepted! Do you have a Charlie card and would like to check Charlie card balance? Let us help you out in this regard. Follow our guide to know everything about charlie card balance.

Overview of Charlie Card?

A CharlieCard is a reloadable, rechargeable “stored value” smart card that will allow you to ride the BRTA transit system. On your CharlieCard, you will “store value” (deposit money). Each time you ride the bus, your fare will be subtracted, allowing you to pay as you go. A $20 stored-value CharlieCard, for example, is good for $20 in travel. You have the option of storing up to $100. The CharlieCard serves as your mode of transportation between routes.

The CharlieCard will also serve as your ride pass. Load one of our unlimited ride passes onto the card, and the pass will activate on the first use. The card can carry up to two passes at once, allowing you to purchase your next pass before the current one expires.

You load cash and ride passes onto the card using a credit card, debit card, or cash. When you board a BRTA bus, simply tap your filled CharlieCard on the fare box, and you’re on your way.

The CharlieCard reduces the cost of traveling by bus. For current cash vs. CharlieCard pricing, visit BRTA Fares.

Because the CharlieCard is interoperable, you can use it to ride buses from participating RTAs including Brockton, Cape Ann, Cape Cod, Lowell, Boston, Merrimack Valley, Metrowest, Massachusetts, Southeastern, and Worcester.

Recommended: Best Car Gadgets To Experience a Smarter Car Ride

How to use Charlie card balance to ride the bus? 

Approach the farebox when you board a BRTA bus. To pay if you’re riding locally, simply touch (do not wave) your CharlieCard once against the orange Card Target. If you’re taking a systemwide ride, notify your driver, wait for the correct fare to appear on the screen, and then tap your card. Your fare is computed and deducted automatically from your card. Please take a seat.

Where can I purchase a Charlie Card?

A Charlie Card can be obtained from any of our enhanced fare vending machines, as well as from MBTA workers at most subway stations and certain bus stops. 

• Tap the screen charlie card vending machine.
• Follow the on-screen instructions and select whether you want to buy or refill. 
• Tap your CharlieCard on the orange card reader to refill.
• Finish your transaction using the payment method you choose.
• Take the CharlieCard, receipt, and change from the issuing tray beneath the display screen.

Please keep in mind that Charlie Cards are not accepted at the following fare vending machines:

• Convention and Exhibition Center of Boston
• Boston’s Fenway Park
• The Lynn Busway
• Fine Arts Museum
• Anderson, Woburn
• Union Station in Worcester

How to check Charlie card balance?

Charlie Cards are reusable plastic fare cards used on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s buses and trains. These cards can help frequent riders save money and time. When the card is first used, an initial balance is loaded onto it. As the money on the card is depleted, riders can replenish it on the computer or at a fare vending machine. The only way to check the balance of your Charlie Card is to visit one of these devices.

• Go to a subway, train, or commuter rail station with a full-service Fare Vending Machine. There are around 500 of these machines in stations throughout the Boston region.
• Tap your Charlie Card on the target on the machine’s exterior, right-hand side to allow the machine to access the card’s information.
• On the touch-screen, press the button that says “Check Your Balance.” 
• After pushing, your Charlie Card balance is displayed on the screen.

Also Read: Know how to Check Ventra card balance

To sum up:

Charlie cards are used to pay your bus fare. You can add money to them when the balance is low. In this blog we mentioned everything about charlie card balance, usage, refill, and other related information. We are extremely happy to assist you to check charlie card balance and if you have any concerns let us know in the comment section. Thank you for being with us. See you shortly with another blog.  

Frequently Asked Questions